Bayberry Dental Care

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

There are two types of stains that can develop on tooth enamel – intrinsic and extrinsic. We’ve discussed intrinsic stains in our previous blog post, which is why we’d like to take the time to discuss extrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains occur when the outer layer of the tooth enamel is stained. This isn’t detrimental to your oral health, but it may make you self-conscious. Fortunately, Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care has solutions to make your pearly whites, white again.

Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the tooth and typically result from foods and beverages that contain pigments. This may include coffee, tea, or anything that contains food coloring. Extrinsic stains can also occur from smoking and poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, extrinsic stains can be removed through polishing or bleaching.

If you have questions about teeth whitening, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

When a tooth is cracked, chipped, or fractured, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care offers dental bonding to save it. Bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic procedures that involve applying a composite-resin (tooth-colored material) to give teeth a healthy appearance. If you’ve had dental bonding placed in the past, we're here to tell you what to do when the bonding itself, breaks.

Dental bonding may appear the same as tooth enamel, but it doesn’t have the same strength. Tooth enamel is the strongest bone in our bodies, and once it’s gone, it doesn’t grow back. With dental bonding, it’s important to be aware of the foods you’re eating, as acidity can break down bonding over time. Additionally, you should avoid opening packages with your teeth to avoid chipping the bonding. If you’ve completed a dental bonding procedure and feel a slight crack in the tooth, contact us immediately so we can assess the situation.

If you have questions about dental bonding, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Dry mouth isn’t just frustrating; it also increases the risk of oral infections. At Bayberry Dental Care, we offer treatments for getting this condition under control and preventing the damage it causes, but we want our patients to know why they should seek help.

Saliva helps to keep bacteria from growing out of control by removing food debris. It also provides teeth with an environment in which they can maintain their protective membranes, decreasing the odds of a crack developing through which bacteria could infect their pulp. Many cases of dry mouth occur as a side-effect of medications, but older women are particularly at risk for Sjögren’s disease, which dries out the eyes, as well as the mouth.

Drinks which are high in caffeine, alcohol, and sugar are contributors to dry mouth. Patients should try cutting back on them and chewing sugar-free gum or candy in order to stimulate more saliva production. They may also need to buy throat moisturizers as a substitute if they cannot get a medication causing dry mouth changed. Humidifiers can help people with dry mouth to sleep better at night, and with better sleep, the overall performance of their immune system should improve.